Darn Stupid Brother You Are by Mairee

Chapter 70

(Hendrix POV)

Her words felt like a punch to the gut. I grabbed her wrist before she could pull away. "I'm sorry," I whispered and rested my forehead against hers. "I'm sorry I'm such a mess."

She tried to smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. "You're not a mess. You're just... confused."

"And you're not?" I shot back and tightened my grip on her wrist. "You're just as lost as I am."

We stood there, our breaths mingling, and I couldn't stop myself. I tilted her chin up and forced her to look at me. "Why does it have to be so hard?" I whispered.

"Because it's us," she replied and her voice broke. "Everything's always complicated with us."

And that's when I couldn't hold back anymore. I kissed her, soft at first, just testing the waters. But when she didn't pull away, I deepened it and poured everything I couldn't say into that kiss.

She responded and her arms wrapped around my neck, pulling me closer until there was no space left between us. My hands moved to her waist and I gripped her like she was the only thing keeping me sane.

Our kisses became more crazed as we backed up against the dusty bookshelves. I felt the heat of her body and the way her breath hitched every time my hands slid across her skin. It drove me insane. "Hendrix,” she whispered against my lips and I almost lost it right there.

"Tell me to stop," I breathed out and brushed my lips against the curve of her neck. "Tell me to stop and I will."

But she didn't. She pulled me closer and her nails dug into my back. I took that as my answer.

We stayed like that for what felt like hours, tangled together and lost in each other, until reality came crashing back and I knew we couldn't keep doing this.

I pulled back and rested my forehead against hers, trying to catch my breath. "Angel..."

"I know," she said faintly. "I know."

I didn't want to let her go, but I had to. We both knew we couldn't stay here forever, hiding from everything and everyone.

finish this stupid project," she muttered and ran a

but my heart still pounded in my chest. "Let's

down, I knew

...

(Ava's POV)

corridor and watched each girl from that dorm room leave one by one. He said the journal would be here, that it was crucial, and I

was the last to leave and trailed behind the others, probably lost in her usual thoughts. Stupid girl. When I was sure they were all gone and far enough, I

freshener scent they sprayed everywhere. Of course, Angel and her little group

and their desks were filled with little trinkets and personal touches. Everything about this room screamed

took up the rest. The thought of

search and rifled through drawers, closets, and under beds. Nothing. I was growing impatient until I lifted Angel's mattress. There it was. The journal. Hiding like a scared little rabbit. How predictable. I smirked and pulled it out. "Stupid girl," I muttered and flipped through the pages. Dr. Valen's handwriting, sharp and neat, stared back at me. Yes, this was

slipped it under my jacket. He's

(Angel's POV)

trailed behind Hande and Cylan and my legs ached while my mind wandered. All I could think about was how

said as she stretched her arms. "I swear they're just trying to break us

don't remind me. I'm counting the minutes until I can get out

been here forever and, at the same time, like I'd just arrived. I shook off the thought as

My desk wasn't arranged the way I left it. I stood there and stared, trying to figure

you coming?" Cylan called from

I'm coming," I muttered and brushed off the unease

usual chatter buzzed around us. The guys weren't there yet, probably still caught up in their drills or at the gym. As I sat down, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. Ava stared at me from across the room and her eyes gleamed

and nudged me. "She's not worth

and tried to focus on my breakfast, but I still

about to leave, Ava stood up and walked over like a serpent. "Angel, can we talk?" she asked, a fake

rolled her eyes. "Go find someone else

continued as her tone dropped, "I think you'll want to hear what I have to say."

The journal.